Custom Pool Houses & Cabanas in Point Pleasant, NJ
Our Custom Pool Houses & Cabanas in Point Pleasant, NJ are designed to maximize your backyard lifestyle while dealing with the harsh local climate and strict zoning regulations. For over 3 decades, we’ve designed and built hundreds of custom outdoor structures (ADUs) across the Jersey Shore. We know how to design smart, space-saving layouts that fit legal requirements while giving you the luxury resort feel you want.
We build permanent, custom structures with the same durability and craftsmanship as your main home. From open-air cabanas with a fireplace to fully enclosed pool houses, we handle the design, permits, and construction.
Our designs focus on the features that make Shore living easier. We integrate private bathrooms and outdoor showers to keep sand and wet feet out of your main house. We add climate control (HVAC) and TV walls to extend your season into the fall, and build fully equipped outdoor kitchens for summer entertaining. With ample storage for beach gear and weather-resistant materials that handle the salt air, our pool houses are built to maximize the short summer season.
Why Build a Pool House?
A custom pool house isn’t just a status symbol. In towns like Point Pleasant, Bay Head, and Mantoloking, it’s a functional necessity. It solves the two biggest problems of shore living: lack of storage and sand in the house.
1. Convenience
The battle against sand is endless. Without a pool house, guests trek wet feet and sandy towels through your living room to use the bathroom. A pool house stops that mess at the back door.
- Private Changing Rooms: Guests can change in privacy without entering the main house.
- Bathrooms & Showers: A dedicated cabana bath and outdoor shower keep the salt, chlorine, and sand outside.
- Laundry: We often install a stackable washer/dryer so wet towels never pile up on your kitchen floor.
2. Storage Solutions
In the summer, your backyard is full of expensive Adirondack chairs, umbrellas, and floats. In the winter, you have nowhere to put them. A well-designed pool house doubles as a secure, weather-proof storage unit in the off-season. It protects your outdoor furniture from the harsh salt air and winter storms, saving you the hassle of renting a storage unit.
3. Entertainment & Value
Summer at the Jersey Shore is short. A pool house with a kitchenette, bar, and TV wall lets you enjoy your backyard all year long. Plus, flexible designs can double as a home office or guest house for visiting family. It’s a permanent asset that significantly increases your property value when it comes time to sell.
The Hidden Hurdles
Building a Pool House at the Jersey Shore may sound easy, but there are strict environmental and zoning traps that can stop a project cold. We navigate these hurdles for you.
1. Zoning & CAFRA
In towns like Point Pleasant Beach and Manasquan, you can’t just build whatever you want. The biggest hurdle is Impervious Coverage. This is the strict limit on how much of your lot can be covered by “hard” surfaces (House + Pool + Patio + Cabana).
- The Coverage Trap: If your design pushes you over the % limit, your ADU won’t be approved. We calculate your coverage to the square inch before we design to keep you legal.
- CAFRA & Wetlands: If you’re near the water, the NJ DEP may have jurisdiction over your backyard. We’ve seen projects halted because a “dry” backyard was suddenly deemed a “wetland” by the state. We check the maps first so you don’t waste money on permits you can’t get.
2. Flood Zones & High Water Tables
Digging a foundation in Bay Head or Mantoloking isn’t like digging in the suburbs. You often hit water just a few feet down.
- Dewatering: Because of the high water table, we often have to bring in specialized pumps to “dewater” the site just to pour a footing.
- Flood Zones (BFE): If your property is in a FEMA Flood Zone, your pool house might need to be elevated above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). We design flood-vented foundations or use breakaway walls to comply with FEMA codes while still making the structure look beautiful.
- Tight Access: Most shore lots are narrow. We use specialized mini-excavators to get into your backyard without destroying your fence or your neighbor’s driveway.
3. Structural Stability & Storm Proofing
Building by the ocean means fighting two enemies: shifting sand below and hurricane-force winds above. We engineer your pool house to handle both.
- Helical Piles (The Foundation): For heavy cabanas with stone fireplaces or full kitchens, we often install helical piles. These steel screw-anchors are driven deep into the ground to hit stable soil, ensuring your pool house never sinks or settles.
- Hurricane Hardware: We use Simpson Strong-Tie hurricane strapping and galvanized anchor bolts to mechanically lock your framing to the foundation. This creates a continuous load path that resists uplift during major storms.
- High-Wind Roofing & Windows: We install architectural-grade shingles and standing-seam metal roofing rated for wind gusts over 110 mph. For glass, we use impact-rated windows and doors from manufacturers like Andersen and Marvin to protect against flying debris without needing shutters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a pool house in Point Pleasant?
Yes. Every town in Ocean County (especially Point Pleasant, Mantoloking, and Bay Head) requires zoning and building permits for accessory structures. If you are adding electric or plumbing, you need those subcode permits too. We handle the entire application process for you so you don’t have to deal with the Township.
Can I build a pool house on a small shore lot?
It depends on your “Impervious Coverage.” This is the strict limit on how much of your land can be covered by hard surfaces. Because we build custom, we can often design unique shapes or open-air cabanas that fit into tight corners where a standard square prefab kit wouldn’t be legal.
Can I include a bathroom and shower?
Yes, and you should. Adding a bathroom is the best way to keep wet swimmers out of your main house. However, this requires running a new sewer line from the pool house to the main street connection. We handle the trenching and plumbing inspections to make this happen.
What materials last longest at the Jersey Shore?
We avoid wood when possible. The salt air in Mantoloking eats standard wood trim. We recommend PVC trim (Azek), Fiber Cement Siding (Hardie Plank), and Stainless Steel hardware. These materials cost a little more upfront but save you thousands in maintenance because they don’t rot, warp, or rust.
Do I need to elevate my pool house for floods?
If you’re in a FEMA Flood Zone (AE or VE), yes. Just like your main home, your pool house may need to be elevated above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) to pass inspection. We use “breakaway walls” and flood vents to ensure the structure survives a storm surge without acting like a dam.
How long does it take to build?
Usually 3 to 6 months. The actual construction is fast, but the permit process in shore towns can be slow, especially if a Variance is needed. We recommend starting the design process in the Winter so you’re ready to party by Memorial Day.
Service Areas
Gambrick Construction is proudly based in Point Pleasant, NJ. Our core service area focuses on the coastal communities of Monmouth and Ocean County.
- Point Pleasant Beach & Borough
- Bay Head & Mantoloking
- Manasquan & Brielle
- Spring Lake & Sea Girt
- Brick Township & Toms River
- Wall Township & Howell
- Lavallette & Ortley Beach
- Rumson & Colts Neck
- Princeton (Select Projects)
Statewide Projects: While our daily operations are concentrated along the Jersey Shore, we accept select large-scale projects throughout New Jersey, including Bergen, Essex, and Mercer Counties.
Ready to Get Started? Let’s talk about how we can help.
Call 732-892-1386 or contact us online today.